Although Standardbreds are primarily bred for harness racing, as a breed they are capable of excelling at a variety of different disciplines and pursuits whether that be for pleasure purposes or competitively.
Standardbreds are often highly regarded for their willingness to learn, their enjoyment of work and their generally laid back natures. Whilst those that have undergone years of training for racing in a particular gait may take time to adapt to a new discipline, there are no barriers to pursuing a secondary, or indeed altogether different, career to that which they were initially bred.
In this section of our website, STAGBI would like to showcase some of the wonderful Standardbreds who have gone on to add a variety of different skills to their repertoires irrespective of whether they achieved success on the racetrack or not. This includes, but is not restricted to, the categories below.
CARDIGAN FLASHMAN
Cardigan Flashman 2013 born gelding Doonbeg (CAN) x Ayr Flight. Won 6 races from 34 starts, winning at Wolverhampton, Corbiewood, York, Ceredigion and Tir Prince. He won £5,370 in prize money and had a record of 2.00.2. He retired from racing in 2020...
SHES SOME DEAL (2008)
Bay mare by Make A Deal out of Newtown Playmate ‘Star’ raced from the age of 3 until 7, picking up wins in Wales, England and Scotland before retiring from the track. Whilst racing, she had also completed two hunting seasons between race seasons and was occasionally...
CAENWOODCONVICTION
2011 mare, Nianimble (US) x With Conviction (US)/Artsplace (US) owned by Josephine Roberts Caenwoodconviction or Perdy as she is known at home was purchased from a field for a mere £375. Josephine was inspired to buy a Standardbred as a friend had a pacer that...
ALFIE
ALFIE unraced skewbald gelding owned by Michelle Cottee Alfie came to Michelle having been found abandoned following an accident 6 years ago, he was 3 years old and still entire. Michelle was immediately taken by his kind and gentle nature and was smitten. Initially...
Tidal Tonto
Tidal Tonto (Part Bred Standardbred) owned by Jenny Jones Was purchased by Jenny, unseen as a just broken Irish Sports Horse .. quite a shock when he turned up and she tried to canter him. That was in 2020, and by now Jenny is totally converted, ‘what wonderful...
SMOKIN JOE II
SMOKIN JOE II 2012 gelding Sable Matters (US) x Ceiron Anita owned by Charlotte Jenkinson Charlotte has owned Smokin Jo since 2017 and introduced him to endurance racing. They have competed successfully in Endurance GB events, recently winning a 23km event at...
TALAVARY MYSTIC & BRYWINS TONTO
Talavary Mystic was taken out of harness racing due to being over-excited on the track at about 4 years old, with the aim to start riding her to calm her down a bit and then go back racing. However, she proved to really excel at endurance so never went back racing; in...
INVICTUS
In June 2022, Kim Alman and Invictus completed the 25.2 mile cross-country endurance race Man vs Horse, a unique event in which runners compete against riders in the hills of Mid Wales, crossing the finish line as the first horse and rider and second to the overall...
Ellie (BJs Dream)
Ellie (BJs Dream) By Young Commander out of Eclipse (Disraeli Hanover). Bred by Jane Livingstone. She jumped her way to Grade A in BSJA with 76 wins, 64 2nds and 20 3rds. She has a grand total of 173 double clears on her record. She's the most honest...
MOORSIDE HASTY
MOORSIDE HASTY (Keira Statham) 2011 Gelding by Hasty Hall (US) oo Moorside Amber / Raque Bogart (US) Moorside Hasty (aka Hasty) was purchased locally by Keira in 2014 as a three year old. He had been broken and jogged but never raced. Keira gradually...
FOOL AROUND
FOOL AROUND (2007 gelding, Sable Matters (US) x Merry Go Round / Cover Up (US) Fool Around (or Benji as he is know at home) was a very successful racehorse. He raced from the age of 3 until he was 10, with a record of 1.56, winning £23,000 and 19 races...
WILLEMAKEIT
WILLEMAKEIT (Carole Redgrave) 2000 Gelding Pilgrims Patriot (US) x Survivor / Raceover (US) Willemakeit is a home bred gelding, bred by Carole’s husband Bart Bennet. But Willemakeit didn’t get off to the best of starts. When he was born, he was said to be 5...
Share your story
STAGBI maintains a responsibility for the Standardbred for the entirety of its life, not just that of its racing career, and welcomes stories of Standardbreds in their lives outside of racing. If you would like to submit information about your Standardbred for inclusion on the website, please send your story and photos to info@standardbred.org